Strict vigil on players at Rajkot

The heinous match-fixing scandal that rocked the willow game like never before and turned the cricket world upside down in 2000 has raised its ugly head again. The Board of Control for Cricket India has taken a serious view of the Nagpur police commissioner's sensational letter, which named West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels as having links with a bookmaker.

"The latest development, if it's true, is very unfortunate. Match-fixing, or certain players' involvement or nexus with bookies, cannot be tolerated. It's sad that a leading West Indian player's name has emerged as having links with bookmakers. But all we've right now is the Nagpur police commissioner's letter. I've read it and Marlon Samuels' name has been categorically mentioned in it. And we've forwarded the same to the ICC. It's a policy matter and we can't do more than that, at least not right now," Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah told rediff.com during an exclusive interview in Rajkot on Friday.

- The match-fixing scandal

"We've not heard or received any communication from the Vidarbha Cricket Association in this regard. But then the VCA has nothing to do with this. It might not have even been aware of such an incident before the Nagpur police commissioner's letter to the BCCI."

Asked whether former India all-rounder Robin Singh's name also figured prominently in the Marlon Samuels episode, Shah said he does not know anything about it.

"At least there is no mention of Robin Singh's name in the Nagpur police commissioner's letter. But the BCCI will look into the matter and try to find out whether he too has had links with bookies. But it's too early to say anything right now. We've neither the details nor any concrete proof of Robin Singh's involvement with bookmakers," emphasised Shah.

Shah said security for the second One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka, to be played at Rajkot on Sunday, has been increased in the wake of the player-bookie nexus reports.

"We've ensured that no unauthorised person is found inside or moving anywhere near the players' dressing rooms. The players are strictly instructed to switch off their mobile phones. Both the teams are arriving on Friday evening and except players and officials, no one, not even media personnel, will be allowed entry to the ground during the nets on Saturday. There will be tight security and strict vigil at Hotel Imperial, where the teams are going to stay. The ICC's anti-corruption bureau's Indian officer, Niranjan Virk, will arrive in Rajkot on Saturday morning and join the teams immediately as part of his duty," he added.

With World Cup 2007, in the West Indies, only a month away, it is very significant that a player of the host country has been detected as having alliance with bookmakers.

"The ICC has zero tolerance when it comes to players' involvement with bookmakers. It's immaterial whether Marlon Samuels belongs to the host nation or any other country. The ICC's anti-corruption bureau is capable enough of getting to the root of the issue and finding out the truth. We must not forget that the game is always greater than the players and not vice-versa," said Shah.